Voltage-regulator system



Dec. 14 1926.

INVEN'I 'OR Car/ H lflhd/ WITNESSES:

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\ VOLTAGE-EEGULATO1t SYSTEM.

Application. filed March 1,

My invention relates to voltage-regulator systems and particularly to the main contact members of voltageregulator systems.

One object of my invention is to provide a regulator system with a pair of main contact members that shall be simple in construction and that shall be so operated as to prevent any sticking or pitting of the contact members.

in operating regulator systems, considerable trouble is experienced in maintaining the main contact members in good condition and free from sticking and pitting action. If the main contactmembers are impaired to any great extent, the operation of the regulator may be so changed as to destroy its usefulness.

In a regulator system constructed in accordance with my invention, one of the main contact members is maintained in constant rotation and is provided with a spirally-arranged contact surface. The other main contact member engages the rotary contact member at a plurality of points and is operated in accordance with the value of the voltage obtaining in a supply circuit, the voltage of which is to be regulated. The contact members serve to short-circuit a resistor which is included in the field-magnet-winding circuit of a generator which is connected to the supply circuit.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View of a regulator system constructed in accordance with my invention, and Fig. 2 is a detail view of the contact members shown in 1.

Referring to the drawing, a generator 1, comprising a field-magnet winding 2 and an armature 3, is connected to a supply circuit comprising conductors 5 and 6. A resistor 7 is connected in circuit with the fieldmagnet winding- 2 and is short-circuited, in a manner to be hereinafter set forth, to control the excitation of the generator 1.

A contact member 8 is rotated by the. gen erator 1, as by means of a shaft 9, which is connected to the armature 8. lhe rotary contact member 8 is constantly in engagement with a stationary contact member 10 and is intermittently engaged by a vibratory contact member 11 in accordance with the value of the voltage obtaining between the supply conductors 5 and 6. The rotary contact member 8 is provided with a conie-ac. sci-mi ll'c.

tact surface arranged spirally in the mannor of machine threads. However, if so desired, the spiral arrangement of the'contact surface may be obtained by turning grooves of any character in a cylindrical surface or in winding wire upon a cylindrical surface.

The vibratory contact member 11 is controlled by an electromagnet 12. The electromagnet 12 comprises a coil 13, which is connected across the supply conductors 5 and 6, and a U-shaped frame 1 1 having a central core member 15. The core member 15 is connected to the frame in any suitable manner, as by means of a nut 16. An armature 17 is pivotally mounted upon one. arm of the frame 141 and carries the vibratory contact member 11. The opposite arm of the frame 1 1 is provided with a stop member 18 which engages a spring member 19 that is mounted upon the end portion of the armature 17. The spring member 19 serves to so bias the armature 17 as to normally maintain the contact member 11 in engagement with the rotary contact member 8. Upon energization of the coil 13 to a predetermined degree, the armature 17 is attracted to separate the contact members 11 and 8.

The stationary contact member 10 is directly connected to one terminal of the resister 7, and the vibratory contact member 11 is directly connected to the other terminal ofthe resistor 7 Thus, when the contact member 11 is in engagement with the rotary contact member 8, a short-circuit, which includes the contact members 11, 8 and 10, is established across the resistor 7. If the voltage between the supply conductors 5 and 6 exceeds the normal value, the electromagnet 12 is operated to separate the contact members 11 and 8. Consequently, the short-circuit around the resistor 7 is opened to decrease the excitation of the generator 1 and, consequently, reduce the voltage on the supply conductors '5 and 6 to normal value. The electromagnet 12 serves to intermittently operate the contact member 11 to maintain the voltage of the generator 1 substantially constant.

On account of the spiral arrangement of the contact surface of the contact member 8, it is apparent that the vibratory contact member 11 has a plurality of points of engagement with the rotary contact member 8. Moreover, it is apparent that the constant rotation of the contact member 8 effects a side- Wiping action on the contact member 11. Thus, the contact members 8 and 11 are kept in good condition and free from any sticking or pitting action.

Modifications in the system and arrangement and location of parts may be made within the spirit and scope of my invention and such modifications are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a regulator system, the combination comprising a rotary contact member having a spirally arranged contact surface, and a vibratory contact member for engaging said rotary contact member.

2. In a regulator system, the combination comprising a rotary contact member having a spirally arranged contact surface, a contact member for engaging the rotary contact member at a plurality of points, and means for vibrating said second contact member into engagement with the rotary contact member.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 20th day of February 1920.

CAR-L H. KINDL. 

